Current Management of Urinary Tract Infection in Children

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial infection of childhood, and has a significant healthcare impact. Renal parenchymal infection and scarring are well-established complications of UTI in children and can lead to renal insufficiency, hypertension and renal failure. Although frequently encountered and well researched, diagnosis and management of UTI continue to be a controversial issue with many challenges for the clinician. The evolving state of knowledge about pediatric UTI leaves many questions and controversies. The goal of this chapter is to provide an up-to-date summary of the literature with particular attention to practical questions about diagnosis and management for the clinician. This chapter reviews also recent evidence regarding the epidemiology and evaluation of children with UTI.